Porfimer sodium is a hematoporphyrin derivative used to treat esophageal cancer, endobronchial cancer, and high grade dysplasia in Barrett's Esophagus. The purified component of hematoporphyrin derivative, it consists of a mixture of oligomeric porphyrins.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Cellular damage caused by porfimer is a consequence of the propagation of radical reactions. Radical initiation may occur after porfimer absorbs light to form a porphyrin excited state. Spin transfer from porfimer to molecular oxygen may then generate singlet oxygen. Subsequent radical reactions can form superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Tumor death also occurs through ischemic necrosis secondary to vascular occlusion that appears to be partly mediated by thromboxane A2 release.
- Primary indication
- Indicated in the treatment of esophageal cancer.Curator reviewed · 5 structured indications
- First approval
- Canada, 2014 · United States, 1995
- Brand names
Resolves to
What you can answer from here — as of September 11, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Porfimer sodium, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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